Located in South America, Venezuela has a long coastline on the Caribbean Sea and is bordered by Guyana, Brazil and Colombia. The species-rich country has beautiful national parks with breathtaking landscapes. Unfortunately, due to the political and economic situation, it is not an easy country to travel to. See andyeducation.com for education in Venezuela.
| Capital City | caracas |
| Size | 912,050 km² |
| Resident | 31,689,000 |
| Official Language | Spanish |
| Currency | Bolívar Soberano |
| Time Zone | UTC-4 |
| Telephone Area Code | +58 |
Fast facts to know
- The country’s national sport is baseball.
- Venezuela has the highest waterfall in the world.
- Venezuela is one of the most biodiverse countries on earth.
- Venezuela has the highest percentage of protected areas in the Americas.
- There have been many violent clashes and demonstrations in recent years. Notes Federal Foreign Office.
- Power cuts are the order of the day. The drinking water quality is often poor.
- The country does not have good basic medical care compared to European standards.
- Hurricanes & earthquakes can occur in Venezuela.
- Not an easy country to travel to, no well-developed tourist infrastructure.
- Comparatively high crime rate.
- International driver’s license required.
- Entry possible without a visa.
- No mandatory vaccinations, standard vaccinations are recommended.
- Malaria, dengue fever, zika virus, chikungunya fever are among the greatest dangers.
- Venezuela’s most important export is oil.
- The capital, Caracas, is the largest city in the country.
- Meaning of the colors of the flag: yellow = sun, blue = sea, red = bloodshed during the revolution.
Exciting cities in Venezuela
- Coro
- Merida
- caracas
- Maracaibo
- Ciudad Guiana
- Ciudad Bolivar
- Maracaibo
- Indian village of Canaima
History of Venezuela
- Populated in pre-Columbian times by Native American groups, nomadic hunter-gatherers, fishermen and farmers.
- Discovered by Columbus in 1498.
- Long Spanish colonial rule.
- Cultivation of cocoa, sugar, tobacco, coffee and cotton with the help of imported slaves.
- Christianization of Indian tribes in the 17th and 18th centuries.
- 1821 Wars of Independence end victorious.
- 1830 Venezuela declares independence.
- 1864 transformation into a federal republic.
- Civil wars and revolutions follow.
- Early 20th century Dictatorship of Juan Vicente Gómez.
- 1945 Legalization of the Communist Party & constitutional reform.
- In the same year there was a putsch with a new government.
- In 1947, for the first time, a president was directly elected by the people.
- 1948-1958 military junta.
- 1958 Venezuela becomes a democracy.
- 1983-1997 Decline in oil prices leads to economic crisis marked by corruption.
- 1998-2013 “Chavismo” under Hugo Chávez.
- From 2013 Maduro government leads to supply crisis, violent protests and violent clashes between government and population.
- Venezuela today is an authoritarian, non-democratic regime.
Climate & travel weather in Venezuela
- Tropical climate with small seasonal temperature differences.
- Rainy season from May to November.
- South: always tropical and humid with high rainfall.
- High mountains cool all year round.
- Recommended travel time:
- Baden: Dec-April.
- High mountains: Sep-April.
Ideas for excursions in Venezuela
- Angel Falls – highest waterfall in the world
- Picture-perfect beaches in Mochima National Park
- Diving on coral reefs near Los Roques
- Swim & relax at Playa Medina
- River cruise on the Orinoco
- Visit Hacienda Buchare
- Cueva del Guacharo caves
Eating & Drinking in Venezuela
- Cuisine determined by indigenous and European influences.
- Many dishes are based on corn.
- Also often found on the plate: rice, meat, fish, yams, plantains, beans and seafood.
- Sumptuous dishes are an important element of Venezuelan hospitality.
- Venezuelans like to take their time eating, lunch takes 1-2 hours.
- Large selection of sweet breads.
- Desserts mostly also very sweet.
- Venezuelan cheese is usually very fresh and tasty.
- Drinking coffee has a long tradition in Venezuela.
- The most popular Venezuelan beer is Polar, and rum is also a popular drink.
- Parrillas are richly stocked grill plates with juicy fillet steaks, pork ribs, chicken parts, homemade black pudding (morcilla), bratwurst (chorizo).
- Buffalo mozzarella queso de bufala is particularly recommended.
- Beware of pickled seafood – often not suitable for European stomachs.
- Almost everywhere there are delicious, very fresh fruits and juices.
- In Venezuela there are often many good Spanish restaurants.
- Typical dishes:
- Arepas (stuffed corn cakes).
- Pabellón criollo (beef, rice, black beans, plantains).
- Hallacas (Christmas food made from a mixture of meat, vegetables, various herbs and spices, covered in corn dough and wrapped in banana leaves).
- Empanadas (fried corn pockets filled with meat, fish, ham or cheese).
- Chachapa (cornmeal pancakes topped with cheese, ham or black beans).
- Casco de guayaba (guavas cooked in sugar syrup).
- Dulce de lechosa (papaya candy).
Particularly scenic
- To the
- amazon
- coastal cordillera
- Table mountains in the Gran Sabana
- Explore beautiful national parks:
- Morrocoy National Park
- Yacambu National Park
- Sierra Nevada National Park
- Los Médanos de Coro National Park (Desert & Dunes)
